How to protect your home from rodents

When cold weather arrives, rodents such as mice, rats and squirrels look for a warm place to lodge. No one wants to have them as roommates. Most of the time, the best way to avoid problems is prevention. Here are some tips to apply this fall to make your home less attractive to rodents.

inspection

. Indeed, it only takes a small crack in your foundation for a mouse to enter and make its nest. Inspect your foundation, doors, windows, vents, chimney and roof. Seal cracks in the foundation and crevices near windows. Check that no tree branches are touching your house.

Field

Be sure to clean your garden and maintain your lawn. It is important to pick up what is on your land, such as fruit that has fallen from trees and bird seed. Place firewood away from the house and remove all old debris from your yard.

Storage

Make sure your cabinets and storage areas are properly organized. Avoid using cardboard boxes to store your things, as this could serve as a nest for rodents. Throw away old newspapers and store pet food and dry food in airtight containers. An airtight trash can will prevent you from having unwanted visitors.

Closed doors

Doors such as those in the garage can sometimes be left wide open. Get into the habit of closing it immediately after getting out or back in your car. Never leave your shed or garage door open overnight, as this is when rodents are most active.

The appropriate products

In prevention, we suggest applying the product Barrier against animals PREDATOR . Apply this product near your house and air vents; it will repel unwanted animals by its taste.

Use an ultrasonic device in suitable places, such as in a garage, to keep mice and rats away.

Feel free to place mouse traps in your attic, drop ceiling, and basement.

Pick up and dispose of all overwintering insects

During sunny winter days or when the temperature in the house is high, overwintering insects like box elder bugs , cluster flies, or wood bugs can wake up and become active. These pest species usually congregate near windows or window frames as they attempt to get outside.

What you need to do:

To properly manage overwintering insects, it is important to implement the following preventive measures to eliminate them.

Vacuuming and disposing of most overwintering insects can effectively remove them from your home. Wood bugs are the only exception, because if you suck them in, they can leave an unpleasant, lingering odor in your sweeper and your home. In such situations, the best way to eliminate wood bugs is to use a broom and dust pan, being careful not to crush them. Then place them in a bag in a trash can outside.

We hope these tips will help you protect your home against pest species during the winter. If you have pest problems and are unable to control the situation, your local Orkin Canada technician will be happy to assist you with your pest problem. Contact your local Orkin Canada branch today for professional support you can trust!